The manufacturing industry is one that is constantly changing. Future manufacturers will employ some 5.5 million people who currently don’t have a job. That number jumps to roughly 10 million by 2025, creating a shortage of skilled labor that could cause prices to rise and interest rates to rise. We can help fill this gap by using more AI and machine learning in manufacturing.
Automation has been a long time coming, but the utilization of robotics in manufacturing is accelerating thanks to 3-D printing and other additive manufacturing techniques. This technology has the potential to drastically change the way we make things and expand the market for certain types of goods.
Manufacturing has seen an immense turn around since the 2009 recession, in which there has been an increase of about one million jobs in the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing output is on the rise and is being aided by the increased utilization of manufacturing technology. Therefore, some of the main ways technology has changed (and still is changing) manufacturing includes the following:
The Rise of Technology
Technology became prevalent within manufacturing all the way back to the Industrial Revolution. This was due to mill owners seeking to increase output in the cotton mills. As technology has become an essential part of our everyday lives, this has also been the case with manufacturing. Without manufacturing technology, manufacturing would be extremely inefficient and wasteful.
Workers now are producing 47 percent more than 20 years ago. Through the development of automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing, the sector has bounced back along with the overall economy. Technology is one of the reasons for this resurgence. We are seeing the rise of automation and robotics in many sectors.
Technology 4.0
There are experts who believe we are a part of a fourth industrial revolution, where technologies such as nanotechnologies and photonics are upgrading older technologies. This makes the future for manufacturing look increasingly bright. This rise of digital technology has allowed smaller manufacturers to compete with much larger companies in the marketplace. Digital marketing has also enabled smaller manufacturers to connect with consumers all over the globe, which has been extremely beneficial. The utilization of automation and complex machinery has revolutionized mass production and increased output while reducing manufacturing costs, which has led to cheaper costs to consumers as well.
Industrial Robotics
An industrial robot is an automatically controlled, reprogrammable, multipurpose manipulator programmable. Typical applications of robots include welding, painting, assembly, disassembly, pick and place for printed circuit boards, packaging and labeling, palletizing, product inspection, and testing; all accomplished with high endurance, speed, and precision. With industrial robotics, there are less errors, which means that production flows much easier and efficiently.
3D Technology
No doubt 3D (three-dimensional) technology has transformed the world of business. 3D technology explains a photograph which gives visual information. The environment is called augmented reality whenever 3-D images are made dynamic so that the participants felt engaged with the setting.
Another aspect of 3D Technology is 3D printing. 3D printing is a huge deal for the manufacturing industry. It allows companies to increase the quantity and quality of their goods without increasing their construction costs. 3D printing breaks the traditional three-D printing mold by allowing manufacturers to create objects with details such as light-colored parts or intricate engraving that are difficult to create with conventional manufacturing techniques. As technology continues to disrupt traditional manufacturing, it creates new opportunities and challenges for companies who are looking to move into the future. 3D printing, using materials such as plastic, is a relatively low-cost way to create prototypes. It has been successful in helping companies build things quickly and efficiently, but 3D printing is still in its infancy as a manufacturing process.
Automation is already underway in manufacturing. Advanced robotics are being deployed into factory floors to assist with repetitive and assembly tasks. More recently, robotic systems have started to assist with material handling and inventory management. These systems not only increase productivity but also reduce injury and reduce waste. As we develop more automated technologies in manufacturing, we will begin to experience benefits like lower input costs, higher output, and more specialized products. Technology will have an impact on the way we create and manufacture things. To stay ahead, it’s important to keep up to date with all the latest trends.
